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The sharing economy: Regulation and the EU competition law

By  |  March 16, 2017

Posted by Social Science Research Network

The sharing economy: Regulation and the EU competition law

By Deni Vitković (European Commission)

Abstract:     This article addresses a phenomenon of the sharing economy regulation and the European Union competition law concerns its business models encounter or are likely to face in the foreseeable future. The first part of the paper examines the importance and relevance of the sharing economy for the regulators, whilst the second part reviews potential systems of the regulation, that is, through the governmental and self-regulation mechanisms, with a highlight on the role of innovation and the consumers’ perspective. The third part deals with the identified competition law concerns arising from both the dominant position and the possible mergers of the sharing economy undertakings within the EU. It is overall argued that the sharing economy changes the way of doing business for good, providing an alternative to the traditional markets and a better utilisation of unused assets, what calls for an effective and carefully tailored regulatory framework.

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